Dental Assistant Salary in Lewiston, ME: $59,460 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Lewiston, ME earns a median $59,460/year (≈ $28.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $62,764 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.4% above the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental assistants in Lewiston, Maine, are projected to earn a median salary of $59,460, significantly surpassing the national median of $49,579. The salary range for these professionals varies from $49,765 at the 10th percentile to $64,504 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a market where both solo practices and dental service organizations (DSOs) play critical roles. Those employed by prominent DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen typically experience a structured pay scale, while solo practices may offer flexible compensation based on individual cases and specialties. This dynamic contributes to a diverse landscape for dental assistant pay in Lewiston ME, offering multiple pathways for career growth and income potential in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,765 | $23.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,951 | $24.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,317 | $29.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,504 | $31.01 |
Median Salary Position
19.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ME, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,739 (2026 est.). At $59,460, the local median is 19.93% above the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be above the median
How Lewiston Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $59,460/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $49,386 | +20.40% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | +19.93% more |
Dental Assistants in Lewiston, ME earn a median of $59,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.93% higher than the national median of $49,579 and 20.40% above the Maine state average of $49,386.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 5.26% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ME has a cost-of-living index of 94.736 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $59,460 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,764 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,330
2025 BLS Actual
$57,650
2026 Current Est.
$59,460
2019–2027 Growth
+48.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,460 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 39.5% from $41,330 (2019) to $57,650 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,997 (48.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,765 – $50,951 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,951 – $59,460 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,460 – $62,317 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,317 – $64,504 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Lewiston
Lewiston's job market for dental assistants comprises around 100 professionals, indicating a stable demand for skilled workers. The local cost of living index stands at 94.736, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of dental assistant salaries. Employers in the area may offer varying salaries based on the specialization, with oral surgery and orthodontic practices often presenting the highest pay rates compared to general dentistry. Factors influencing salary disparities include credentialing differences, such as expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) qualifications where permissible, and the added responsibilities of treatment coordinators in certain settings. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing certifications through DANB or ADAA, engaging in continuous education, and exploring opportunities in specialized practices will be essential strategies in Lewiston's competitive market.
More salary data for Lewiston, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH
Career Analyst
Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $57,650 for dental assistantsin the Lewiston metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov